A post-pandemic recovery appears to be on the horizon in the CAS Spine space.

SmartTRAK highlights what’s new in the Spine and Orthopedic Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS) markets. Our daily updates cover the latest news and up-to-date intel on competitors, revenues, products, patents, trends and research in CAS. Companies covered include Exactech, DePuy Synthes, THINK Surgical, Subtle Medical, CurvSmith & Nephew, Surgalign, Medtronic and others.

The following is a sampling of market updates covering recently published studies, articles and clinical trials in orthopedic regenerative medicine that were curated, reviewed and posted in real time by Elise Wolf, SmartTRAK’s General Manager, Computer-Assisted Surgery.

Q220 brought unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Q220 brought in unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics. Companies rose to the challenge through flexible business models to accommodate limitations in short-term hospital financial constraints through increased financing and implant volume commitments. The unexpected strength in robotics revenues also demonstrated a rebound in elective (total joint) procedures that is expected to normalize in early 2021.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 CAS Ortho Market Recap* are:

Despite a downturn in the CAS spine market and a decrease in the proportion of robotic spine cases in Q220, interest in spine robotics and other enabling technologies remains strong.

Although robotic system placements and procedures declined in Q220, companies remain optimistic with strong surgeon interest in spine robotics and a long runway ahead given the early stage of adoption and under penetration of the market. Additionally, product enhancements, new applications and the development of surgical platforms that span multiple enabling technologies (robotics, AI, surgical planning, patient-specific implants, etc.) are expected to drive growth in the CAS spine space going forward.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

Founded in 2012, Enhatch is a privately held venture-backed medical technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI)-based software solutions to fill in the gaps medical device manufacturers face in enhancing implant design, developing patient-specific instrumentation and integrating communication among enabling technologies. The Company also incorporates machine learning to simplify clinical and logistic workflows for hospitals based on individual patient data through the entire surgical continuum of care.

Strong start in Q120 was negatively impacted by the double whammy of postponed elective procedures and lag in capital equipment purchases as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While adoption of robotics and other enabling technologies was gaining significant momentum quarter over quarter through year-end 2019, delays in elective spine surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in declines in capital equipment sales and fewer computer-assisted spine surgeries in Q120. However, these declines are expected to be temporary and improve as surgeries rebound through the end of the year and into 2021.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 CAS Spine Market Recap* are:

Companies came out of the gate strong in Q120, but COVID-19’s one-two punch on elective procedures and capital equipment purchases negatively impacted orthopedic enabling technology revenues toward the end of the quarter.

While adoption of robotics and other enabling technologies was gaining significant momentum quarter over quarter through year-end 2019, delays in elective spine surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in declines in capital equipment sales and fewer computer-assisted orthopedic surgeries in Q120.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q120 CAS Ortho Market Recap* are:

Robotics and other enabling technologies continued to drive implant sales for existing competitors in Q419, with several new product introductions and expanded applications expected in 2020 and beyond.

The orthopedic robotics market continues to gain momentum and validation with increasing competition and development milestones being met by key companies in the space.

Expanding Applications and New Robotic Launches on the Horizon

Enabling technologies in spine surgery continued to gain market acceptance in Q219 given benefits including lower revision rates, ability to market to patients and ability to plan the surgery beforehand, bolstered by several presentations on the benefits of computer-assisted spine surgery at the International Society for Computer-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) meeting, held in New York City in June. While questions on long-term clinical benefits associated with robotic-assisted surgery remain, CAOS President, Dr. Patrick Meere, believes robotics in spine and orthopedics will continue to gain traction. In SmartTRAK’s interview with Dr. Meere in the article “CAOS 2019: A Synergy of Advanced Technologies,” he noted, “There is not a single venture in the medical field where robotic technologies entered and exited. They have always persisted. There may well be a lag, there may be naysayers, and there may be ...

Among the many topics covered in the complete Q219 CAS Spine Market Recap* are: